Schmidt: Dodik has crossed the line, NATO and EUFOR forces should be stationed in BiH

It is not new that the leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Milorad Dodik, rejects everything related to the functioning of BiH, but Moscow's attempt to abolish the OHR, boycott you as the High Representative, and the possible secession of RS give the situation in BiH a completely new quality," writes a journalist from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, asking Christian Schmidt, the High Representative in BiH, if this is part of Putin's policy, by which Moscow seeks to maximally anger the West, citing what is happening with Ukraine or Belarus as an example.

"This is in any case a serious attack on the Dayton Agreement," Schmidt replies, adding that Moscow also wanted to abolish the EUFOR mission and that it is very possible that the demands for BiH's dysfunctionality have their roots in Moscow.

The High Representative in BiH explained that Dodik has "crossed the line of rhetorical incitement to fire" by annulling the decisions of the High Representative and not recognizing the Constitutional Court of BiH, and he also wants his own army, security services, judiciary, and indirect taxation.

"I have an obligation to ensure the civilian implementation of the Dayton Agreement, as stated in Annex 10. My task is to change this through pressure and pointing it out. If this policy does not change, the international community must act before BiH disintegrates," said Schmidt, adding that he has the Bonn Powers at his disposal, which include the dismissal of politicians who violate Dayton. He then emphasized: "But we must not shoot from the most lethal cannon as long as other means exist."

When asked by the journalist if he shouldn't have fired from the "most lethal cannon" ten years ago - since Dodik has been working against the state of BiH - and dismissed him, Schmidt did not want to answer. He only added that "the international community is only now beginning to deal with Bosnia and Herzegovina" and that it is a "mistake to believe that nothing happens in the Western Balkans without explosions and smoke." When asked if the EU made a mistake by not imposing sanctions on Dodik like the US, because Spain opposed it, Schmidt said he was happy that Heiko Maas initiated that discussion and Annalena Bearbock continued it, pointing out that there are other EU member states that support it. He also said he is optimistic and thinks the EU will find a way to influence Dodik, reports DW.

The journalist from the Munich daily reminded that Dodik recently told the American mediator Gabriel Escobar, "I don't give a damn about sanctions!" which, according to Schmidt, shows his nervousness. "I know that Dodik urgently needs money. I am successfully working with the IMF, the World Bank, and the EBRD to ensure that Mr. Dodik receives money only under strict conditions."

Schmidt also said that he does not see the potential for an armed war, not only because the region is not that heavily armed, but also because, unlike in the 90s, neighboring countries "have no interest in a war developing from the issue of 'Republika Srpska'." However, the High Representative in BiH does not rule out social unrest and therefore believes it is good that EUFOR and NATO troops are stationed in BiH so that they can react in a timely manner. When asked why 5,000 soldiers are not sent to the Brčko corridor, so that Dodik would bury his secessionist rhetoric, Schmidt replied that NATO is aware of how problematic the situation is, adding that he met with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as well as with the British envoy Stuart Peach, who was previously the chairman of the NATO Military Committee. When asked by the journalist from the Munich daily why the reactions of both the PIC and the EU Council of Ministers were so mild and what else needs to happen for the international community to react, Schmidt pointed out that the PIC confirmed at its session on December 7/8 that any violation of the Dayton Agreement will have consequences, but that discussions with Milorad Dodik are currently ongoing, reports Oslobođenje.